| abstract |
Atomic diode battery or thermionic converter including a radioisotopic fuel pellet enclosed in a capsule having an emitter surface extending over substantially the entire capsule external area, a housing enclosing the emitter capsule and having an internal collector surface extending over substantially the entire housing internal area and maintained at a predetermined spacing from the emitter surface, a cesium vapor source communicating with the interelectrode space under such low vapor pressure as to effect nominally vacuum mode operation, and emitter and collector connections providing an electrical output from the battery. An optimum relationship established among battery parameters provides maximum energy conversion efficiency at practical electrode temperatures and spacings using available materials. |